Porpoising
포퍼싱
Ground effect vehicles experience a vertical oscillation phenomenon at high speeds due to changes in the aerodynamic downforce beneath the car's floor.
🏆 Race Case Study
Repeated Bouncing on a High-Speed Straight
At high speed, increasing downforce can pull the car closer to the track surface. If the airflow beneath the floor then breaks down, the car can rise again before being pulled back down, creating repeated bouncing. Teams can adjust ride height, suspension, and aerodynamic setup to reduce porpoising.
📺 Race Context & Viewing Tips
Frequently asked questions
Why does porpoising make an F1 car bounce up and down on straights?
As the car moves closer to the ground, downforce can increase sharply until the airflow under the floor breaks down and downforce drops. Repetition of this cycle can produce the bouncing motion.
Can severe porpoising affect lap time?
Yes. It can make the car unstable and affect driver visibility and braking stability, so teams may sacrifice some performance in the setup to reduce it.
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